Can we take supplements?

[Lopaka]

Can we take things like vitamins and dieteary supplements?  I was taking potentiated bee pollen before I started the injections and am wondering if I should still take them during the program.  I took 2 capsules yesterday morning, which was my first day on the vlcd.  My scale indicated I didn't lose any weight this morning.  Is it normal to not see any weight reduction after 24 hours on the vlcd?

[ljtr421]

My doctor has me taking all vitamins, supplements and bioidential hormones.  I would check the ingrediants of the bee pollen for hidden items.  Also, did you do the 2 load days?  My doctor actually had me load for a week.

[kathy in California]

You should check the calories in the bee pollen and count it towards your 500 calorie total. Also, I do take all of my supplements while on injections even though they say you don't need to. I know I need to.

[Lopaka]

Yes, I did load for 2 days, and boy that was fun!  I pigged out on ice cream bars and went to a dinner party with tons of sausages and ribs cooked by a famous chef who was there.  My mouth is still watering thinking about it   I was going to eat normally on day 3 too, because the instructions that came with the HCG from this site said to eat normally for the first 3 days.  However, I didn't want to push the envelope and decided to follow KT's book to a "T".  Sometimes I wish I hadn't.  Doing the vlcd on day 3 was kinda hard.  But I used to fast for 3 days years ago, so I knew I had the discipline to stick it through.  In fact I'm still pretty hungry as I write this, and it's still before 9 a.m.  Hope the hunger pangs leave soon.

I reviewed KT's book again last night, and it said "No Supplements", including vitamins.  The book said studies showed no vitamin and mineral deficiencies occurred during Phase 2, because the fat cells have all of that.

The bee pollen bottle has no calorie information.  I also noted the pollen has some sweetness to it, so it may have sugars and other things counteract the HCG.  This may not be true, but I don't want to take a chance at this point.  I was a little concerned yesterday, since my scale didn't register any significant weight loss.  But this morning, I lost 2 Ibs. from my last load day 3 days ago.  So I guess I'm heading somewhere.  I was hoping for a larger number like some of you had.  I may experiment with taking pollen in the future though.

[kathy in California]

If I were you, I would find out the calories in bee pollen if you decide to keep using it. I'm sure you could find the nutritional content of it somewhere on the internet. I know it's pretty sweet, since I used to use it on top of my cereal as an alternative to other sweeteners. There are alot of nutrients in bee pollen as well as some of the most common allergens. Allergens can slow your metabolism and prevent weight loss. Some people believe that a little bee pollen can gradually cure allergies like an innoculation and make you immune to allergens. I'm not sure I believe that since a friend of mine with severe allergies tried it and ended up in the hospital...

[Lopaka]

Thanx for the reply. According to a website, 1 teaspoon contains 15.7 calories, which is probably around what 2 capsules would provide.  I have allergies too, and it didn't seem to affect me when I was taking them.  One thing I've noticed, though, is that my allergies got a little better after starting the HCG.

[Lopaka]

Also, what about Acetyl-L Carnitine?  It's supposed to help the body convert fat to energy.  KT's book suggests taking these occassionally, but he never stated whether it was during Phase 2, 3 or 4.

[kathy in California]

I bought some, but haven't tried it yet. It seems like it would be helpful during injections.

[CA Girl]

You should not take supplements or vitamins while on the diet.  The whole point of the HCG is for the body to release the fat stores.  Those fat stores contain the calories you body needs to burn for fuel.  If you take supplements, you're counter-acting the HCG.  You will still lose some, but not as much. 

In Phase 3 you can take your supplements again.  I would strongly recommend ORGANIC supplements.  Nutrilite is the oldest and largest producer of organic supplements in the world.  Check them out at www.TheWorldsBestProducts.com

[Lopaka]

I actually refrained from supplements under the same notion it may somehow interfere with the hcg.  i'm glad I did, but still wonder what difference it would have made.  I don't intend on doing this again, since I'm now just a few pounds from my ideal weight and already look great (at least that's what my family and co-workers say).  this morning before starting the phase 3 diet, I weighed in at 155.9 Ibs.   down from 176 or 177 Ibs.  My ideal (according to some websites) is 152 Ibs.

Today is my first day on phase 3, so I don't have to worry about it anymore.  Still, you could be right in the sense that the hcg will cause the metabolism of fat to access vitamins and minerals the same as for energy.  It's a theory anyway...

[kathy in California]

I think the theory is great, at least for fat soluable vitamins, it just didn't seem to work out for me. I kept getting sick, it didn't help that I was doing Phase 2 during the flu season!!! I advise anyone who is dependant on vitamins for their immune system to keep taking them!!! Congrats Lopaka, you made it!!! 

[Jimnae]

Technically, it is possible to get complete nutrient value from foods; however, you would have to eat such an exorbitant amount of the right types of foods, it would not be practical.Due to modern agricultural practices that have been driven to value profit much more highly than nutrition, our croplands have been depleted of essential minerals and micronutrients. The nutritional value of cultivated foods is at an all-time low.

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Jimnae
unpaid (http://www.drivenwide.com)

[mae777]

Have you gotten the Hcg book which is an excellent guide to follow for the Hcg diet. It outlines all of the recommended foods that you should eat, the supplements that you should take and how and why they are so important for the Hcg diet. This was the best guide for me personally on the Hcg diet. I also love the cookbooks because I never get bored with my eating on a daily basis. I hope this helps you out. This is the best diet for everyone, everyone looses weight with the Hcg diet that is why I absolutely love it. To all your weight loss success.

[angelique]

I've read KT's book as well and think it's a great help. I have a better idea now of what supplements to use when (someone said you shouldn't take any supplements during phase 2, but you should take Calcium and Vitamine C, even Dr. Simeons mentioned that).
I get my supplemenst for the different phases from www.hcgessentials.com because they have most of the things Trudeau recommends.